Hania

Introducing Hania

Hania (hahn-yah; also spelt Chania) is unreservedly Crete’s most evocative city. Its beautiful Venetian quarter is a web of atmospheric streets that tumble onto a magnificent harbour. Restored Venetian townhouses have been converted into chic restaurants and boutique hotels, while ruins house stunning tavernas. The prominent former mosque on the harbour and other remnants of the city’s Turkish rulers add to Hania’s exotic charm. Hania has a lively tradition of artisanship and boasts some of the island’s finest restaurants. The Old Town is a great place to spend a few days.

The Hania Prefecture gets its fair share of package tourists, but most of them stick to the beach developments that stretch out to the west. It is a main transit point for trekkers heading for the Samaria Gorge.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009